This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply and monitor systems for stable mining in coal and metalliferous mining. It includes installing, monitoring and assessing ground support systems and scheduling and carrying out inspection, repair and maintenance activities.

This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory roles. They generally perform a broad range of operational activities in their area of responsibility and are responsible for monitoring a safe work environment.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

apply and monitor systems for stable mining on at least two occasions, including:

assessing and assigning appropriate plant and equipment

developing and administering work plans

monitoring installation of ground support systems and making required adjustments for variances and non-achievement of outcomes

assessing outcomes, forming reasoned recommendations and completing reports.

During the above, the candidate must:

locate and apply relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures and confirm work activity is compliant

implement requirements, procedures and techniques for applying and monitoring of systems for stable mining, including:

analysing hazards and risks, and implementing control measures

accessing and analysing archival and historical mine management information relating to mine and failure mode of mine structures

interpreting and applying design criteria for mine management

conducting and reporting on audits

identifying and evaluating geological and geotechnical information

work effectively with others to apply and monitor systems for stable mining in a manner that meets required outcomes, including:

complying with reporting requirements and procedures

providing leadership and direction to others

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating clearly and concisely with others to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

key procedures and documentation required to apply and monitor systems for stable mining, including those relating to:

maintenance of plant, equipment and tools

risk management processes

work health and safety

types, characteristics, uses and limitations of mining systems and structures, including:

mine plans

ventilation systems

gas monitoring systems

strata supports systems

safety management systems

types, characteristics, uses and limitations of stable mining structure controls

principles and techniques for identifying and managing environmental issues, risks and hazards and implementing control measures

principles and techniques for assessing capabilities and applications of plant and equipment relating to ground support systems

techniques for identifying individual training needs

principles, processes and techniques for emergency responses, evacuations and disaster planning

techniques for coordinating and communicating job activities with others.

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

include access to:

design system documentation for stable mining

be conducted in a safe environment; and,

be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,

be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances.

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment

having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes

possessing the required level of RII training product knowledge

having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces

demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence outlined in this unit of competency, and

the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide located on VETNet.

**Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to industry by conducting a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a unit of competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Coal mining

Metalliferous mining